McDowell County, North Carolina

McDowell County
McDowell County Courthouse in Marion
Flag of McDowell County
Official seal of McDowell County
Map of North Carolina highlighting McDowell County
Location within the U.S. state of North Carolina
Map of the United States highlighting North Carolina
North Carolina's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 35°41′N 82°03′W / 35.68°N 82.05°W / 35.68; -82.05
Country United States
State North Carolina
Founded1842
Named forJoseph McDowell
SeatMarion
Largest communityMarion
Area
 • Total445.35 sq mi (1,153.5 km2)
 • Land439.95 sq mi (1,139.5 km2)
 • Water5.40 sq mi (14.0 km2)  1.21%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total44,578
 • Estimate 
(2023)
44,893
 • Density101.33/sq mi (39.12/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district11th
Websitewww.mcdowellgov.com

McDowell County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 44,578.[1] Its county seat is Marion.[2]

McDowell County comprises the Marion, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Charlotte-Concord, NC Combined Statistical Area.[3]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference 2020CensusQuickFacts was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "OMB Bulletin No. 23-01: Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Combined Statistical Areas, and Guidance on Uses of the Delineations of These Areas" (PDF). United States Office of Management and Budget. July 21, 2023. Retrieved August 10, 2023.